Avoiding Production Pitfalls in DIY Music In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Rich Bozic and Justin Hochella discuss various challenges and common pitfalls in music production. They provide insights on maintaining effective communication, avoiding overthinking, and resisting the temptation to tweak endlessly. The conversation highlights the necessity of clear protocols, timeframes, and methods of communication, particularly in collaborative projects. They also celebrate the grow...
Jul 29, 2025•30 min•Ep. 37
In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Rich and Justin welcome Marc Matthews, a prolific producer and the host of the Inside the Mix podcast. They delve into Marc’s journey in the music industry, discussing his extensive experience in mixing, mastering, and teaching. Marc shares valuable tips on preparing tracks for mastering, the benefits and challenges of AI in music production, and how to overcome self-doubt in creative projects. The episode is packed with advice for emerging ar...
Jun 24, 2025•47 min•Ep. 36
In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, the hosts Rich and Justin explore how to build a music production rig on a budget of $1000. They discuss two scenarios: one where a musician has a computer but no equipment, and another where the musician has no equipment or computer. Each host presents their proposed gear lists, sharing tips and websites for acquiring quality, budget-friendly music production equipment. They emphasize the importance of platforms like Reverb for used gear and recomm...
May 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 35
Exploring Musical Stories with John Hildreth In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Rich and Justin are joined by the multi-talented musician John Hildreth. They discuss John's extensive background as a musician, songwriter, producer, and educator, as well as his unique instruments and recording setup in his home studio, 'The Blue Room.' John shares his insights on the use of AI in music, his memorable gigs, advice for budding musicians, and his latest musical releases. The convers...
Apr 29, 2025•42 min•Ep. 34
Studio Maintenance Tips In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Rich Bozic and Justin Hochella celebrate a milestone of over 2,000 downloads and share exciting news about their short video clips available on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. The main topic delves into studio maintenance, discussing essential practices for both the physical and virtual realms of a studio setup. Highlights include tips for general cleaning, effective cable management, repair strategie...
Mar 25, 2025•28 min•Ep. 33
The Impact of AI Vocals on Music and Creativity In this episode of the 'Face Your Ears' podcast, hosts Justin Hochella and Rich Bozic discuss the rapid advancements in AI technology, specifically focusing on AI's ability to generate and manipulate vocal performances. They debate the implications of AI-driven tools like Deep Seek and ACE Studio, which can now replicate and alter human vocals for a fraction of the cost previously required. The hosts express concerns about AI's role in potentially ...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 32
New Year, New Tools: Music Production Innovations for 2025 In the first episode of 2025, hosts Rich and Justin kick off the new year by discussing exciting new tools in the music production world. They introduce three innovative tools: Hook Theory, Dubler 2 by Vochlea, and Muse. Hook Theory helps musicians with chord progressions and music theory, Dubler 2 allows users to convert their vocals into various instrument sounds in their DAW, and Muse enables seamless remote collaboration between arti...
Jan 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of 'Face Your Ears’, Justin Hochella and Rich Bozic reflect on the past year and discuss their plans for the year ahead. They recount memorable moments from previous episodes, including setting up a complex studio and launching their music production business, RJB Music Production. The conversation also delves into their future goals, which include Rich's aim to organize his projects with modern digital tools and Justin's ambition to create a course on Logic Pro. They highlight b...
Dec 31, 2024•26 min•Ep. 30
Upgrading Your Home Studio: Interfaces, MIDI Controllers, and Essential Software In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Justin Hochella and Rich Bozic provide updates on past guest Josh D'Elia and discuss tips for expanding a basic home studio setup. They cover key topics such as upgrading audio interfaces, incorporating MIDI controllers, and leveraging software like Loopback and macOS's AudioMIDI setup to enhance the recording experience. The episode includes practical advice for ...
Nov 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Justin Hochella and Rich Bozic dive into the world of virtual instruments. They discuss the creation and use of virtual instruments in modern music production, focusing on guitars, basses, pianos, and drums. They explore the nuances and techniques used to mimic real instruments' sounds and provide practical examples using various software tools such as Native Instruments' Kontakt and Logic Pro. Listen in as they showcase the versatility and au...
Oct 29, 2024•28 min•Ep. 28
Introducing RJB Music Production: A New Era in Music Collaboration In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Rich and Justin celebrate surpassing 1,000 downloads and welcome their special guest, Burak Yildirmaz, a seasoned composer and mixing engineer. Together, they announce their new venture, RJB Music Production, and discuss the journey that brought them together. The team outlines their roles: Rich coaches and arranges vocals, Justin handles production and arrangements, and Burak ...
Sep 24, 2024•28 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, Rich and Justin discuss the intricate process of setting up Justin's newly renovated studio at Man Made Random Studios in Michigan. They delve into the severe plumbing emergency that initiated the renovation, and how it presented an opportunity to modernize Justin's basement, including the studio space. This episode covers the detailed steps involved in setting up complex audio equipment, including the use of spreadsheets for planning, organizing ca...
Aug 27, 2024•30 min•Ep. 26
Exploring Vocal Effects: Vocoder, Pitch Shifter, and Autotune In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Richard Bozic and Justin Hochella dive into the fascinating world of vocal effects. They discuss the history, functionality, and usage of three popular effects: vocoder, pitch shifter, and autotune. The episode includes practical demonstrations of each effect, providing listeners with before and after samples. The hosts also touch on the implications and evolution of these effects i...
Jul 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 25
Exploring AI's Disruption in the Music Industry - Face Your Ears Podcast Episode 24 In Episode 24 of the Face Your Ears Podcast, hosts Rich and Justin once again dive deep into the impact of AI on the music industry. They discuss the exciting new assistive tools in DAWs like Logic Pro and Ableton Live, including stem splitting and virtual session players, and introduce the generative AI tool, Suno, which can create songs based on text prompts. The conversation touches on the philosophical implic...
Jun 25, 2024•33 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of the Face Your Ears podcast, hosts Justin Hochella and Rich Bozic delve into the intricacies of songwriting. The conversation covers the process of polishing a song, from initial sketches to the final touches, highlighting the organic and flexible nature of songwriting. Rich shares insights on working with lyrics, melodies, and chord progressions, and the importance of overcoming self-doubt and perfectionism. They also emphasize the need for releasing finished songs and leverag...
May 28, 2024•29 min•Ep. 23
In this episode, we talk with special guest, electronic musician and producer, Josh D'Elia. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Josh has been creating various forms of music for decades. He is currently the co-founder of musical duo, 'Sleek Teeth', that recently released their first single 'GONE'. They are currently working on their debut album due to be released in the near future. Our conversation with Josh covers a lot of ground including what it's like to be in the LA music scene, his advice for new m...
Apr 30, 2024•29 min•Ep. 22
Virtually every piece of music we listen to, regardless of genre, has something in common: effects! A great recording or performance is paramount to producing a great song, but what gives it that extra professional polish are effects. In this episode, we explore 3 of the most common and widely used effects in audio and music production: Reverb, Delay and Chorus. Join us as we unpack examples of these effects in action, talk about their parameters and how you can dive in if you've never done so b...
Mar 26, 2024•27 min•Ep. 21
In this episode, we explore overcoming obstacles in the studio. Whether it's equipment not working properly or software on the fritz, creativity gets sapped quickly when issues arise. Join us as we unpack these areas and discuss strategies and approaches with humor, insight and... a goat? For Production Services, Coaching and Lessons, visit: www.manmaderandom.com For help prepping your songs/voice for the studio: www.bozicvoicestudio.com For Production Services, Coaching and Lessons, visit: www....
Feb 27, 2024•32 min•Ep. 20
In our first episode of 2024, we discuss ways to keep those creative juices flowing. Join Rich and Justin as they dive in to different ideas and strategies they employ to cultivate their own creativity. Links to some of the resources and bands mentioned in the conversation can be found below in the show description. Dir En Grey: https://direngrey.co.jp/lang_en/ Heilung: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7sTKZr30LqC928DZ5P9mNQ The Gone World: https://a.co/d/gc4Sy4W 74 Creative Strategies for Electr...
Jan 30, 2024•27 min•Ep. 19
Another year of Face Your Ears has come and gone and in this episode, we reflect back on everything we've done and look forward to the year ahead. For Production Services, Coaching and Lessons, visit: www.manmaderandom.com For help prepping your songs/voice for the studio: www.bozicvoicestudio.com For Production Services, Coaching and Lessons, visit: www.rjbmusicproduction.com For help prepping your songs/voice for the studio: www.bozicvoicestudio.com ---- https://www.faceyourears.com https://ww...
Dec 19, 2023•19 min•Ep. 18
In this episode, we welcome our very first guest to the Face Your Ears Podcast! Katherine Wessinger-Bozic is an accomplished musician and singer with a diverse background in performance, recording, teaching and more. Join us as we learn about her background, her accomplishments and her point of view on what it means to be a working musician in today's world. You can access more information about her via her website at www.katherinewessinger.com Hear Katherine's recent work with composer Kevin Ke...
Nov 28, 2023•32 min•Ep. 17
In this episode we provide a beginner's introduction to audio cables. If you are new to the recording and production arena, or just want to learn more about the basics of cables, this episode is for you. From different types of audio cables to digital cables, we unpack some of the most fundamentally important details when it comes to cables in your studio setup. For a visual overview of what's discussed in this episode, check out this great resource from cablematters.com: https://www.cablematter...
Oct 31, 2023•25 min•Ep. 16
Have you ever opened up a recording app like Logic Pro and been completely overwhelmed? If so, then this episode is for you! Join Justin and Rich as they unpack the basics of mixing including tools such as EQ, Panning, Sends, and more. Logic Pro is used as the main reference point, but the topics covered apply to mixing in general, whether in software or a hardware mixer sitting on a desk. For Production Services, Coaching and Lessons, visit: www.manmaderandom.com For help prepping your songs/vo...
Sep 27, 2023•28 min•Ep. 15
In this episode, Rich and Justin reflect on their driving purpose behind why they do what they do in regards to music, recording and creativity. Hear their thoughts on how approaching music in different ways drives them in their pursuit of learning, growing and how they express themselves. Whether its exploring new sounds, writing a song, working alone or with others, its all in the pursuit of creating music that is meaningful, fulfilling and fun. For Production Services, Coaching and Lessons, v...
Aug 29, 2023•29 min•Ep. 14
AI is exploding across many different industries throughout the world, including music. In this episode, we begin to explore how AI is disrupting music, for better or worse. Whether it's composing, performing, mixing or mastering, AI is exploding in just about any musical discipline you can think of. Is it the next best thing to happen to music? Will it turn us all in to un-creative robots? Join us, as we begin discussing these kinds of questions unpacking this very deep topic! www.faceyourears....
Jul 28, 2023•41 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, we take you on a brief tour of a crucial component of any studio: Monitors! Studio Monitors are more than speakers, they are used to ensure accurate production, mixing and mastering from your project's beginning to end. Join Rich and Justin in this episode of Face Your Ears to learn more about some background information, technical features and considerations for bringing this important equipment in to your studio. Check out this Studio Monitor Buying Guide from Sweetwater: http...
Jun 27, 2023•25 min•Ep. 12
Are you a budding podcaster, musician, or content creator looking for the best microphone to suit your needs? Or perhaps you're just starting to dip your toes into the world of audio recording and want to know what the must-have accessories are for getting the best sound possible? Join us as we explore the different types of microphones available, including condenser and dynamic and the advantages and disadvantages of each. We'll also delve into the different types of microphone accessories that...
Jun 09, 2023•26 min•Ep. 11
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of audio interfaces! We provide helpful tips and tricks for choosing the right one for your specific needs, including considerations like connectivity options, preamp quality, and more. This episode will help you gain a better understanding of the importance of key audio interface features and how they play a role in creating, mixing and producing high-quality recordings. If you want to gain a wealth of knowledge on this essential piece of audi...
Apr 11, 2023•33 min•Ep. 10
A great song often starts off as a small seed of an idea... maybe a lyric, melody, or beat that inspires you. But how do you nurture that 'seed' so that it grows in to a full fledged song? In this episode, we'll be diving into answering that question by reflecting on the basics of songwriting, discussing how to get started with crafting your own songs. From exploring inspiring sounds to finding inspiration for melodies, we'll cover the fundamentals that every aspiring musician needs to know; inc...
Feb 21, 2023•29 min•Ep. 9
In this episode, Justin interviews Rich to learn more about him, what makes him tick and what led him to where he is today as a music maker and teacher. Check out his websites: www.bozicvoicestudio.com www.beakfastband.com For Production Services, Coaching and Lessons, visit: www.rjbmusicproduction.com For help prepping your songs/voice for the studio: www.bozicvoicestudio.com ---- https://www.faceyourears.com https://www.instagram.com/faceyourearspodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Face-Yo...
Feb 01, 2023•28 min•Ep. 8
